Complete MPs' expenses guide

MPs' expenses: The Telegraph's investigation into how politicians - from
Gordon Brown's Cabinet to backbenchers of all parties - exploit the system of parliamentary
allowances to subsidise their lifestyles.

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Charles Kennedy

Charles Kennedy, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, used his office expenses account to pay for mints and teddy bears bought from the House of Commons gift shop.

He spent £35.75 on three boxes of mints and two cuddly toys wearing jumpers featuring Parliament’s famous portcullis logo. Mr Kennedy said the items were to be used as “prizes” when he submitted the invoices to the Commons authorities.

He also claimed £18 for a Remembrance Sunday poppy wreath in 2006, but was refused a similar claim the following year. He said the gifts and wreaths had been errors, spotted this year and repaid.